Helen Mirren

From the age of 13, when she played Caliban in a school production of "The Tempest," Helen Mirren knew she wanted to become an actress. Despite her working-class upbringing and her less-than-supportiv...
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Dame Helen Mirren has paid tribute to British thespian Alan Howard following his death on Saturday (14Feb15), insisting his passing is a "huge loss" to the theatre. Howard, a Royal Shakespeare Company regular, died after a bout of pneumonia, aged 77, and Mirren is among his colleagues who have remembered the actor.
The Queen star, who also performed with the RSC from the 1960s to the 1980s, says, "Alan was a member of a very small group of actors who could truly be called a great classical actor.
"I do not know of another actor who could reinvent a line of Shakespeare, time and time again, with imagination and intelligence the way he could. He was always exciting and inspiring, always trying to find the material anew. He had prodigious talents to play with, a superb voice, an athletic frame, and a profound and subtle way of approaching the material.
"I often had the privileged position of being able to watch him from the wings of the theatre. This I would do, trying to learn something unlearnable. Because only Alan could be what Alan was."
Howard provided the voice for the ring in two of the Lord Of The Rings films.

Dame Helen Mirren feels sad to have missed out on the chance to perform her play The Audience for Queen Elizabeth II following news the British monarch is set to see the show with another actress in the lead role. The veteran star, who won an Oscar for royal drama The Queen, reprised the role of Queen Elizabeth II for West End show The Audience in 2013, and she is poised to launch the play on Broadway while another actress, Kristin Scott Thomas, leads the cast in London.
It was recently announced that the Queen is to visit the London show to see Scott Thomas play her on stage, and Mirren admits she is disappointed she never got to share her performance with the woman she portrays.
She tells the New York Times, "I wish the Queen had come to see the play, but it would have been impossible... I think she would have felt proud of herself... When I took my bow at the end, they were not applauding me. They were applauding the Queen."

Dame Helen Mirren's play about Queen Elizabeth II is to be changed before it lands on Broadway amid fears American audiences might not recognise the British prime ministers featured in the story. Mirren reprises her role as the British monarch in The Audience and the story focuses on her interactions with 12 political leaders, including Winston Churchill, Tony Blair and current incumbent David Cameron.
However, writer Peter Morgan has been tweaking the script prior to the play's Broadway debut to make sure U.S. audiences don't get confused.
He tells the New York Times, "We are not throwing out two prime ministers and putting two others in, but we are making constant refreshments. Just tightening the nuts one more time."
Mirren also insists that the political nature of the play should not put off potential theatre-goers, adding, "Even if you have no understanding of the (British political) system or the chronology of British prime ministers, the play is very funny, and it gives you a growing realisation of what this woman has been through and experienced. This builds over two hours as you get an understanding of the variety and length of this woman's reign."

British actress Dame Helen Mirren suffered an embarrassing mishap at the Berlin International Film Festival on Monday (09Feb15) when she fell over on the red carpet. The 69-year-old Oscar winner was attending the premiere of her latest movie Woman In Gold at the event in Berlin, Germany on Monday evening when she took a tumble.
Mirren, who was wearing a long, green gown, tripped on a step in front of photographers, and one of her companions rushed to her rescue and helped her to her feet.

Moviemaker Mike Leigh is to be feted with a special honour by officials at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). The director will be presented with a BAFTA Fellowship award, which recognises excellence in the entertainment industry, at the annual prizegiving ceremony in London on Sunday (08Feb15).
Leigh says, "What a privilege to be honoured with the BAFTA Fellowship. I'm moved, delighted and surprised."
Amanda Berry, Chief Executive of BAFTA, adds, "Mike Leigh is one of Britain's finest filmmakers, so I am delighted that we will honour him with the Fellowship... He is a true innovator, an artist and an exceptional filmmaker."
Previous recipients of the honour include Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Laurence Olivier, and Dame Judi Dench, and Dame Helen Mirren, who was awarded the fellowship at last year's (14) ceremony.

Oscar winner Dame Helen Mirren showed off her subway chic on Thursday (29Jan15) by opting to ride public on transport to get around New York City. The Queen star was photographed sitting on a train with her large purse on her lap.

British monarch Queen Elizabeth II is headed to the theatre to check out Kristin Scott Thomas's depiction of her in The Audience. The royal is said to be planning a trip to see the London play, which chronicles her weekly meetings with various U.K. Prime Ministers.
Playwright Peter Morgan previously voiced his disappointment when Elizabeth failed to visit the stage drama during its inaugural 2013 run, with Dame Helen Mirren as the star, but the Queen has now requested a viewing of the show.
Morgan tells Britain's Sunday Express newspaper, "The Queen has asked to see the play herself. She apparently said she was sorry to have missed it on its last run and I think that's partly because it took that long for enough people to have seen it in her circle to tell her it's worth seeing. I know her private secretary came and various former high-ranking courtiers and present courtiers."
The play has enjoyed huge success throughout its run, winning a number of awards. A Broadway production is planned for this year (15).

Eddie Redmayne is convinced his horseback scene in Les Miserables was payback for lying to director Tom Hooper about his riding skills on a previous TV project. The young Brit admits he was far from honest when he told the filmmaker he could ride at an audition for mini-series Elizabeth I, and almost killed himself in a charging scene in front of Jeremy Irons and Helen Mirren.
He recalls, "I left the audition and, as I was leaving, he (Hooper) said, 'One last thing Eddie, have you ever been on a horse?' And I said, 'Yes!' and I walked out. I had been on a horse when I was four and was mostly trying to get it to go!
"Cut to about three weeks later and we shot in Lithuania with this gigantic scene of this coup being staged and I was on a gigantic stallion with 14 Lithuanians' horses stomping behind me. At the end of this road Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons are on a balcony dressed in full regalia and Tom Hooper is behind the camera and spurs were being attached to my feet, and I'm thinking at one point, 'Do I admit I can't ride?'
"I was too embarrassed to admit it and he (Hooper) calls, 'Action!' And I gave the horse a gentle nudge and it went off 100 miles an hour and I'm just holding on for dear life! I just heard, 'Cut!' And Tom Hooper arrived and said, 'You're a f**king liar!'
"From that moment I learned a lesson, because I was always taught that whenever you're in doubt at an audition, say yes. But I hadn't been taught that if you say yes and it's a lie make sure in the couple of weeks before filming you have elementary training; whatever it is!"
Hooper got his own back when he and Redmayne reunited for Les Miserables years later: "On day one all the revolutionaries were rehearsing together and Tom announced that my character, Marius, was gonna have to leap onto a horse whilst brandishing a flag!
"So that was my penance - my payback for that lie to him years ago."

Oscar winner Dame Helen Mirren is fighting for Britain's elderly after signing up to spearhead a new campaign aimed at providing better care for lonely pensioners. A new Age UK study suggests more than three million Brits feel abandoned after the age of 65, and the 70-year-old actress admits she's shocked by the statistics.
The Queen star says, "It's vital we raise awareness of this sad fact so isolated older people get the help and support they need.
"I'm proud to support Age UK, which aims to give older people the things everyone deserves in life - a bit of advice, sharing a cuppa (cup of tea), company or simply someone to laugh with."
Mirren is urging fans to support the charity organisation's 'No one should have no one' campaign, stating, "We all have a responsibility to create a world in which older people are cherished."

"It's a great symbol that's been created by the movement in France against the Charlie Hebdo atrocity, and I just thought it's a great reminder for all of us to stand by the ideal of free speech." Dame Helen Mirren on the pen pin she wore to the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills on Sunday (11Jan15). Twelve journalists and cartoonists were slain last week (ends09Jan15) when Islamic extremists opened fire in the publication's Paris headquarters.

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Starred in the television feature "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone"; received Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG nominations for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Movie

Starred in the action sequel "Red 2"

Starred in "Love Ranch," based on the true story of a married couple who opened the first legal brothel in Nevada; her husband Taylor Hackford directed the film

Played the queen in "Prince of Jutland/Royal Deceit," a drama that purported to tell the "real" story of Hamlet

Associate produced and starred as a faded rock singer turned sleuth in the British TV mystery "Painted Lady"; aired on PBS in the USA

Had title role of the cheating spouse of a gangster in Peter Greenaway's "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover" opposite Michael Gambon

Portrayed Sofya Tolstoy, opposite Christopher Plummer as Leo Tolstoy, in the German biographical film, "The Last Station"; earned Independent Spirit, Golden Globe, SAG and Oscar nominations for Best Actress

Published her memoir, In the Frame

Offered memorable turn as the unclothed muse for James Mason in "Age of Consent"

Starred as Prospera in the Julie Taymor directed adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Tempest"

Appeared in the Comedy "Raising Helen" directed by Garry Marshall

Had lead role of Rosalind in the BBC/PBS production of Shakespeare's "As You Like It"; part of a series in which all the Bard's plays were performed

Played Imogen in the BBC/PBS version of Shakespeare's "Cymbeline"

Cast as a Russian astronaut in "2010"

Cast as a ruthless TV news producer in Hal Hartley's "No Such Thing"

Starred opposite Harrison Ford in "The Mosquito Coast"

Returned to Broadway opposite Ian McKellen in "The Dance of Death"

Had leading comic role as a gardening expert in the British comedy "Greenfingers"; screened at Cannes; first screen teaming with Clive Owen (released theatrically in the USA in 2001)

Acted opposite Ben Kingsley in "Pascali's Island"

Offered a beautifully nuanced turn as the widow of a British soldier who falls in love with the young Irishman responsible for his death in "Cal"; earned the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival

Starred opposite Alan Rickman in the London stage production of "Antony and Cleopatra"

Received star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Had second go as the Egyptian queen in "Antony and Cleopatra" opposite Michael Gambon

Starred opposite Michael Jayston in the thriller "Kiss Kiss, Kill Kill" (ABC); film aired in Great Britain as "Coffin for the Bride"

Offered an award winning performance as the Queen of England in the Channel 4/HBO joint production of "Elizabeth I"

Portrayed Queen Elizabeth II following the tragic death of Diana, Princess Of Wales in "The Queen"

Gave a brilliant star turn in the title role of the Showtime film "The Passion of Ayn Rand"; received second Emmy Award

Cast as the fairy queen Titania in the BBC/PBS adaptation of "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Played Hobson, the title character's nanny in the remake of "Arthur," opposite Russell Brand

Reprised role of Inspector Jane Tennison in the PBS Masterpiece Theatre miniseries "Prime Suspect: The Final Act"; received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Movie

TV debut in BBC production of "Herostradus"

Directed the short, "Happy Birthday" (filmed 2000); aired on Showtime as part of Directed By series in the edition entitled "On the Edge"

Played the love interest to Bob Hoskins' gangster in the acclaimed "The Long Good Friday"

Had supporting role in the BBC production of "Cousin Bette"; aired on PBS' "Masterpiece Theater" in 1972

Co-starred in the Television movie "Door To Door"; earned Golden Globe and SAG nominations for Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie; received an Emmy nomination for Supporting Actress

Voiced the Queen in the animated feature "The Prince of Egypt"

Starred in "Calender Girls"as one of the women of the Rylstone Women's Institute in North Yorkshire that posed nude in 1999, to raise money for Leukemia; earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress

Returned to the London stage in "Collected Stories"

Co-starred with Bruce Willis in "Red," an adaption of the comic book mini-series of the same name

First screen credit as associate producer on "Some Mother's Son"; also starred as an Irishwoman whose son is imprisoned for alleged IRA activities

Played a former Mossad agent in "The Debt"

Won raves for playing Lady Macbeth in "Macbeth"

Toured Africa and America with Peter Brook's theater company

Made Broadway debut in "A Month in the Country"; received a Tony nomination

Was featured as Morgana (aka Morgan Le Fey) in John Boorman's "Excalibur"

Received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination playing the loyal queen in "The Madness of King George"; co-starring Nigel Hawthorne and Rupert Everett

Appeared in Lindsay Anderson's "O Lucky Man!"

Returned as Inspector Jane Tennison to the PBS Masterpiece Theatre miniseries "Prime Suspect 6: The Last Witness''; received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries or Movie (2004)

Joined Royal Shakespeare Company

Raised in Ilford and Southend-on-Sea, England

Played Cleopatra at the Old Vic with the National Youth Theater at age 18

Co-starred with Robert Redford and Willem Dafoe in the thriller "The Clearing"

Featured in Pixar's "Monsters University"

Cast as the ruthless editor of the Washington Globe in the political thriller, "State of Play"

Co-starred in the notorious and controversial feature "Caligula"

Played the efficient housekeeper Mrs. Wilson in Robert Altman's "Gosford Park"; reteamed on screen with Clive Owen and Michael Gambon; earned second Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination

Co-starred with Rupert Everett in the thriller "The Comfort of Strangers"

Starred opposite Laurence Olivier, Alan Bates and Malcolm McDowell in British TV adaptation of Harold Pinter's play "The Collection"

Played Hermia in a British TV adaptation of "A Midsummer's Night Dream"; directed by Peter Hall (released theatrically in the USA)

Created signature role of Detective Inspector Jane Tennison in the Granada Television drama "Prime Suspect" (aired in USA on PBS in 1991); reprised the role in several series between 1992 and 2006

Co-starred in Ken Russell's "Savage Messiah" and had title role in film "Miss Julie"

Summary

From the age of 13, when she played Caliban in a school production of "The Tempest," Helen Mirren knew she wanted to become an actress. Despite her working-class upbringing and her less-than-supportive parents, Mirren emerged to become one of the most celebrated and decorated British actress of her time. With a combination of poise, confidence, intelligence and undeniable sex appeal, Mirren became famous for her challenging performances on stage and screen that often included removing her clothes, a public exhibition that sometimes stood in the way of her work. Nonetheless, Mirren turned in exquisite performances onstage with the Royal Shakespeare Company, before making a name in film and on television. But true stardom eluded her until she landed what became her signature role, playing a police inspector battling sexism and a troubled personal life in "Prime Suspect" (PBS, 1990), a role she returned to with frequency throughout the years. Mirren then reached the top of her game in 2006 when she won a slew of awards - including an Oscar - for her complex portrayal of Elizabeth II in "The Queen" (2006). Not only did Mirren affirm her status as a high-caliber actress, but she proudly relished the renewed attention to her allure, which aroused a new generation of fans accustomed to actresses less than half her age.

Education

Name

International Centre for Theatre Research

National Youth Theatre

Royal Shakespeare Company

St Bernard's Convent

Notes

Mirren has a small tatoo on her right hand just above her thumb. "I got it on an Indian reservation after I'd had a few drinks. I'd never have it removed, but I do have to cover it up sometimes." – from New York Newsday, Dec. 28, 1994

"Once my ambition was to be a great classical actress. Now I see acting as entertainment." – Mirren quoted in "Comfortable as a Queen or a Cop" by Blake Green in New York Newsday, Dec. 28, 1994

"I'm lucky with the culture I come from. There isn't the definition there is in America [where] you're either a film actress or a TV actress or a stage actress. I've literally done film, television, theater – and on a pretty substantial level. I don't think that's possible for American actors to do that." – Mirren quoted by Stephen Schaefer in USAToday, Jan. 4, 1995

"When I was about 25, I was really depressed and uptight and f*cked up. I went to a hand reader, this Indian guy in this funky neighborhood. He said, 'The height of your success won't happen till you're in your late forties.' From that moment on, I felt much better, because I realized I didn't want to know what was going to happen. I just wanted to get on with it." – Mirren quoted in Time Out New York, Feb. 6-13, 1997

"Acting isn't about wearing clothes, It's not about taking them off, either. That's not the creation of your career or the destruction." – Mirren on her penchant for appearing nude quoted in USA Today, Aug. 18, 1999

"There are some great film roles and a smaller number of women who are hanging on in there, like me. In fact, when they need someone who looks older, there are even fewer of us who haven't had plastic surgery. There's a difficult period between 44 and 58 when you're no longer a mature, good-looking woman and not yet an old bird, but after that it's fine." – Mirren quoted in London's The Sunday Times, Nov. 7, 1999

Asked if she regretted not having children, Mirren told The Guardian (Nov. 15, 1999): "God no. No, never. Absolutely never ever ever. I needed the freedom to do all the things I needed. So no absolutely never."

"I'm not a movie star. I'm not even famous. Career – I hate that word. It smacks of ambition. There's something embarrassing and slightly distateful about it to me. Maybe that's a British thing. You're supposed to be humble and dedicated and above all truthful. But you're not supposed to be ambitious." – Mirren quoted in the Daily News, July 22, 2001

"Greenfingers" and "Gosford Park" co-star Clive Owen on Mirren: "There is a sort of honesty to Helen's work. She's much too straightforward to succumb to any kind of 'like me' acting." – from the Daily News, July 22, 2001

"I associate her very strongly with some of the movies that inspired me to become a filmmaker. I felt like I was working with a legend." – Hal Hartley who directed Mirren in "No Such Thing" (2002), quoted in the Daily News, July 22, 2001

On working with Ian McKellen in "The Dance of Death" (2002) Mirren told Time Out New York (Sep. 13-20, 2001): "We do have two different rhythms, and I think we can learn from each other. He likes to dissect, analyze, pull it apart, and I just want to get out and do it. My fault in life is that I hurtle at things too fast."

"I learned my gardening from an old boyfriend. In fact, everything that has made me into a good person, I have learned from men." – Helen Mirren quoted in The Independent, Sept. 20, 2001

"My great triumph is not falling ass over tit as I came up those stairs." – Mirren, accepting her 2006 Emmy for the HBO miniseries "Elizabeth I"

"What people forget is that movie stars in their hearts are unemployed actors, because once in their lives they've – we've – all been the one that nobody wants, who gets turned down for the job and lives in a one-bedroom apartment in wherever." – Mirren to Los Angeles magazine, Feb. 2007

Mirren was quoted by GQ magazine (September 2008) as saying she used to dabble in marijuana and cocaine when she was younger.

"I'm pretty damn sure Queen Elizabeth did see ['The Queen']. But they will never tell me. Afterward, she invited me to tea. It was immensely gracious of her." – Mirren quoted in People, Sept. 19, 2011